The Cartographers’ Guild is a forum created by and for map makers and aficionados, a place where every aspect of cartography can be admired, examined, learned, and discussed. Our membership consists of professional designers and artists, hobbyists, and amateurs—all are welcome to join and participate in the quest for cartographic skill and knowledge.

Although we specialize in maps of fictional realms, as commonly used in both novels and games (both tabletop and role-playing), many Guild members are also proficient in historical and contemporary maps. Likewise, we specialize in computer-assisted cartography (such as with GIMP, Adobe apps, Campaign Cartographer, Dundjinni, etc.), although many members here also have interest in maps drafted by hand.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ. You will have to register before you can post or view full size images in the forums.

I'd probably draw basic sketches of the phases separately then and note positions of things like earlier defensive ditches as they'll influence the street plan and will be the origin of street names (ie: dyke street). Anyway, I look forward to seeing it!

Ok, each 'plot' on the map (note some of the buildings they have built cover more than 1 plot) is meant to support about 250 people. A quick google search suggests 250/acre is realistic for a medieval city, so we can use that as the basis, therefore each plot is about 1 acre, is about 200ft x 200ft. or in squares 40 x 40

The map I have for Olegs is 28 x 22 which makes it too small. On this basis, so I have my first decision, do I have various stalls set up against the outside wall of the old fort, or do I have it as a higher density plot?

After a bit of thought I like the idea of a walled in bazaar, and am happy with it building upwards to cover expansion, so I am going to leave it that size.

Ok, the smith district then goes around the main road into olegs, and gathers around that main route. The bigger houses can then back onto the wall itself or on a new path striking east (towards the first farmlands they settled).

Next phase was the 2 plot temple. Given this is the god of war I see this as being heavily fortified,hence no need to snuggle too tight to olegs, so I have placed it just off Farm Lane to the south, then allowed the housing to spread out in the protected area between the temple and olegs.

Apparently between stages 3 and 4 the town had some problems with a Troll invasion, hence everything around stage 3 should be lightly fortified at worst. I can see any outlying buildings being destroyed, and a light pallisade being put up around the smithing area with maybe a ditch.

The military style building I can then see being in a complex covering the weakest angle to the city as below

Anybody see any flaws in logic with the city so far?

Note the population at this point is meant to be 9 x 250 = 2,250. Hence there is an argument the housing needs to spread more I think